By Muhammad Nasir Bello
Sokoto – The Sokoto State Government says it plans to distribute 15,000 bags of rice seedlings and 14, 000 water pumping machines to dry season farmers in the state.
Alhaji Umaru Nagwari, the Commissioner for Agriculture, spoke on Tuesday in Sokoto, when he appeared before the State House of Assembly Committee on Agriculture to defend the ministry’s 2017 budget proposal.
He said:’ ”The government has prioritised agriculture as a means of diversifying the economy and more resources will be committed into the sector.
“As part of such efforts, we had since reserved improved seeds and equipment to enable dry session farmers get more yields.
“Adequate arrangements have also been made to enhance the capacities of both dry and rainy season farmers in the state.”
The Committee’s Chairman, Alhaji Dayyabu Kalmalo (APC- Illela), assured that the Assembly would support the ministry’s effort to boost food production.
In another development, the Commissioner for Water Resources, Alhaji Arzika Tureta, said the ministry would ensure the judicious utilisation of its allocation in 2017.
He spoke when the officials of the ministry appeared before the Assembly’s Committee on Water Resources to defend its 2017 budget proposal.
“We are going to embark on four additional water projects, located at Tambuwal, Kware, Illela and Sabon Birni, in order to enable more people access potable water.
“More so, all uncompleted projects under our ministry at Asari, Riggar Liman, Rinjin Sambo, Tamaje and Gagi will be completed by March this year.”
The Committee’s Chairman,Alhaji Aminu Bodai (APC- Dange Shuni), assured of the Assembly’s support to sustain the achievements so far recorded by the ministry.
